Tag: Asia Legal News
Executing your law firm business development plans during the coronavirus outbreak
Like a hurricane that swept across the world, the COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed our lives. It is fair to say that most of our lives right now are different when compared to 2020 beginning. Case in point: Most of you are probably reading this at […]
Hong Kong’s legal job market: Predictions for the coming year
In this interview with Asia Law Portal, Rob Green, CEO of GRM, provides his analysis of the past 12 months in legal recruitment in Hong Kong. And what we might expect for the rest of the year. Given the past 12 months, how has Hong Kong’s […]
India Battles to Survive Covid-19
A slipping economic growth in India hit with a rude jolt by the WHO declare-pandemic. Which is threatening to wipe out many global economies. Covid-19’s sudden spike in March is wreaking havoc. And to contain the fast-spreading outbreak, India enter into a self-imposed near-total lockdown of […]
The story of Malaysia’s #1 Legal App. An interview with June Low, Founder, EasyLaw
In 2016, June Low Founded EasyLaw. 1 out of 4 lawyers in Malaysia is using the app now. In this interview with Asia Law Portal, Low details the story of this remarkable legal startup. And what inspired her to pursue a career in legal tech. You […]
COVID-19 Legal Workflow to help legal teams manage pandemic-related issues
Australian law firm Gadens and legal-tech company Lawcadia are releasing the COVID-19 Legal Workflow. It is in response to the deluge of legal issues corporate and government teams are now facing. And they will continue to face, as a result of the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. […]
New online community for legal marketing and business development professionals launched. An interview with William McLaughlin, Managing Member, BD Roundtable
In February, 2020, Bangkok-based legal business development professional William McLaughlin launched BDRoundtable.com. A private online community for legal marketing and business development professionals. In this interview with Asia Law Portal, McLaughlin details what inspired BD Roundtable’s creation and what’s in store for its’ future. He also […]
The unique value proposition of document automation platforms for law firms and the general counsel. An interview with Malik Anwar, Director of Asia operations, Clarilis
Legal technology business Clarilis recently opened an office in Singapore, appointing industry veteran Malik Anwar as Director of Asia operations. In this interview with Asia Law Portal, Anwar outlines the value proposition of document automation platforms to law firms and the general counsel. Clarilis’ future plans […]
India’s Finance Budget and slipping economic growth
The Union Finance Budget is here without much in it for foreign investors. The economy remains a point of discussion with global financial institutions as recovery does not appear in the horizon. While Coronavirus has not directly hit India, it is feeling the effect in different […]
Lawyer-to-lawyer document marketplace launched: Lexub
New shared-economy legal document marketplace offers lawyers democratisation of precedents and monetisation of documents
Will 2020 be make or break year for India’s economy?
The Government of India should be ready with its new year resolutions and timelines to achieve the same. As 2020 ushered in the lowest GDP forecast in the last 11 years. It continues the year-end gloomy economic situation in the country. The Government has an opportunity […]
A book review of “The Real Deal: Law Firm Leadership That Works” by Paul Smith and Sally Dyson
Lawyers generally have an inbuilt scepticism regarding any form of coaching. Which imposes a high bar on authors targeting an audience of busy managing partners. The Real Deal: Law Firm Leadership That Works by Paul Smith and Sally Dyson. It vaults over that bar with consummate […]
Technology and IP partner Jonathan Kok hired as part of Withers tech’s expansion in Asia
Withers KhattarWong LLP, the Singapore office of international law firm Withers, has boosted its Technology and Intellectual Property (IP) capabilities in Singapore with the hire of partner Jonathan Kok. Jonathan joins Withers from RHTLaw Taylor Wessing, where he was the Head of its Intellectual Property & Technology Practice. […]
India Ends 2019 on a Significantly Weak Economic Note
The Indian economy did not have any recovery on the economic front as per data released by 2 global financial institutions. The Personal Data Protection Bill made the much-awaited comeback to the forefront when it was introduced in Parliament. India’s regional trade and growth potential remains […]
Reflections on over two decades in the business of law in Asia: An interview with Patrick Dransfield, Co-Director, In-House Community
Patrick Dransfield first came to Asia in 1986 where he lived in Beijing. He later went on to a career working in the business of law beginning in Hong Kong in 1996. Educated in Art History and East Asia Studies, Dransfield has worked in legal publishing […]
Cybersecurity Law: Thailand
Thailand has rapidly grown its digital economy, and has made a concerted push towards technological innovation. As technology has evolved within the country, however, so has the threat of cybersecurity issues.
India’s mobile app for lawyers: An interview with Dr. Arvind Singhatiya, CEO, LegalKart
LegalKart is an India-based technology platform that helps lawyers manage their legal practices. The firm uses artificial intelligence to connect qualified clients to lawyers — thereby helping lawyers build and grow their practices In this interview with Asia Law Portal, LegalKart Founder and CEO – Dr. […]
Law firm MDS KhanLex launches Mongolia’s first ‘robot lawyer’
14 November 2019. Ulaanbaatar. MDS KhanLex launches Mongolia’s first ‘robot lawyer’ — profit-shares with staff — prepares for launch of legaltech research institute Top-tier Mongolian law firm MDS KhanLex has launched ‘iGeree’ – an online contract automation and AI chatbot platform focused initially on employment law, […]
Some law firms in Asia are now accepting virtual currency
As Wong Joon Ian has reported in The Business Times: “The future of money is built in Asia” — noting that in excess of $1.8 billion dollars in cryptocurrencies are traded on Asian exchanges ever day — representing almost 60% of the world’s daily crypto trade […]
How Reed Smith is globalizing innovation initiatives. An interview with Adam Curphey
Global law firm Reed Smith recently appointed Adam Curphey as Innovation Engagement Manager. Curphey’s focus is working “with the firm’s lawyers, Practice Innovation and IT development teams to implement ideas to drive internal efficiencies, as well as identify collaboration opportunities with Reed Smith’s clients to deliver […]
India: Doing Business Ranking the only Face-Saver
India’s improvement in the World Bank’s Doing Business ranking is the only bright spot in a lackluster economy that desperately needs reassurance of a revival. It’s akin to the Diwali sparkle which lights up India around this time but belies the darkness for the rest of […]
How Withers KhattarWong LLP is navigating Singapore’s highly competitive legal market: An interview with Managing Partner Deborah Barker
After a lengthy collaboration and formal alliance between Withers LLP and the former KhattarWong LLP, Withers KhattarWong LLP came into being in early 2019. The alliance has created the second largest law firm in Singapore, offering a full range of legal services to corporations, institutions and […]
Tricky tactics and quirky questions: how to find a lawyer that’s the right fit
Should we be adopting the mindgaming exploits of Meryl Streep’s character Miranda Priestly in “The Devil Wears Prada”, to find out if your candidate is the best fit for your team? The menacing fashion editor’s interrogatory questions renders Anne Hathaway’s character almost speechless in the famous […]
Realising Indonesia’s new national capital city: HFW to host seminar in Jakarta
Realising Indonesia’s new national capital city: opportunities and challenges
India: Will Corporate Tax Cut Revive Growth or Widen Fiscal Deficit
The mounting pressure of a sagging economy and sharp economic growth forecast reductions by global institutions, the Government of India announced significant tax relief to corporates. However, while this seemed to cheer the industry and may be a stimulus in the short term, experts have warned […]
A World of Difference: Cambridge Global Conversations
A Conversation with DVC’s Daniel Fung SC, QC, GBS, JP, FCIArb By Aparna Bundro, Practice Development Director, Des Voeux Chambers Many of today’s most fundamental conversations about global problems take place in an echo-chamber where only existing perceptions are reinforced. CGC, the newly set up education […]
Funding boost and award win for Australian legal tech company
Brisbane-based legal technology company Lawcadia announces that it has recently raised $1.3 million in a pre-Series A round from a number of private investors and Artesian, a leading Australian alternative investments and venture capital firm.
New Anti-Corruption Regime for Commercial Organisations in Malaysia
The MACC Amendment Act introduces a new Section 17A, which provides that a commercial organisation is deemed to commit an offence if any person associated with the commercial organisation corruptly gives, agrees to give, promises or offers to any person any gratification to obtain or retain business or advantage for the organisation. Subsection 17A(6) stipulates that a ‘person associated’ with a ‘commercial organisation’ may include directors, partners, and employees of the commercial organisation, as well as any person ‘who performs services for or on behalf of the commercial organisation’.
Strategic Alliance on Corporate Advisory and Services between Haeme Hashim & Co, Kuala Lumpur and Loggerhead Partners, Dubai.
In July 2019, Haeme Hashim & Co. has entered into a strategic alliance with Loggerhead Partners (“Loggerhead”), a corporate advisory and management consulting services firm based in Dubai, UAE. Currently, Loggerhead also has two other operating offices in Cyprus and Switzerland.
Will discretion abide as long as the rules provide?
What you need to know about reopening a receiver’s fees after assessmentas confirmed in the novel case of Ho Chor Ming & Ors v Hong Kong ChiuChow Po Hing Buddhism Association Ltd [2018] 3 HKLRD 270 Introduction Shareholder disputes are commonplace. When a membership dispute arises, […]
Whither private practice?
Smarter Law: Transforming Busy Lawyers into Business Leaders by Trevor Faure Book Review (Part 2) Forgive me for starting on a negative note but the chances are that many of you are unlikely to get beyond the third paragraph of this article, less likely still to pull […]
ASEAN Insiders Series 2019 – Personal Data Protection
DATA PROTECTION IN ASEAN Technology and the rise of the digital economy has transformed our lives for the better in many ways. However, data breaches and data security threats loom over us. The incident involving Cambridge Analytica in 2018 where millions of Facebook users’ data were […]
Lawyers and Accountants from Across APAC Region Gather in Shanghai to Discuss Growth and Collaboration
Lawyers and accountants from 11 countries were represented at Alliott Group’s APAC Regional Conference in Shanghai from 17-18 June 2019
Asia and Europe are now each other’s leading trade partners
Asia and Europe are now each other’s leading trade partners, with $1.5 trillion in merchandise trade , overtaking their respective trade relationships with the United States, according to a study produced at the initiative of the European Union, as the World Economic Forum (WEF) reported. The […]
Helping law firms create intuitive knowledge platforms: The story of Singapore’s INTELLLEX
INTELLLEX was founded in 2015 in Singapore with the aim of helping law firms create intuitive knowledge platforms. In this interview with Asia Law Portal, INTELLLEX Co-Founder and Chief Business Development Officer Ellery Sutanto explains how the company began, it’s vision for the future of legal […]
View your sabbatical as a career booster and not a career break
It can be a scary prospect – the thought of stepping away from your deskbound duties and taking a sabbatical. You may question what your colleagues or management think or fear about this break in proceedings and how this will impact your career development. But having […]
Bend and Stretch: Make the most of your flexibility
So, you might have secured more flexibility in your working life, but what should you do with it? The benefits of a better work life balance have been espoused by many as the way to not only improve an individual’s life by allowing them more time […]
Asia’s economy remains the world’s growth engine, accounting for 62% of global GDP growth
According to a recent interview with BNP Paribas Economist Christine Peltier, “although confronting new challenges, Asia’s economy is still the world’s growth engine, accounting for 62% of global GDP growth.” Peltier highlighted the following developments: Emerging Asia (excluding Japan) grew by 6.2% in 2018, unchanged from the previous […]
Going Public in the ASEAN-5: Snapshot of IPO and Listing Requirements
The key economic purpose of the capital markets is to give companies access to different sources of financing to grow their businesses. An initial public offering (IPO) is one of the main ways for a company to raise equity capital by using the primary public equity […]
Legal Technology Transformation
In 2016, Deloitte conducted a global study of 243 major legal services purchasers from global multinational corporations. It revealed that clients expect their legal services providers to use technology better and more broadly around knowledge sharing and contract management and shared platforms.
Legal Technology: The General Counsels (GC) Conundrum
The General Counsel (GC) is changing from a legal expert and risk mitigator to a business enabler. The best of this new breed of GCs are agile, on the ground, close to the business, and engaged up-front with their organization’s design and technology teams, enabling them […]
Legal Entity Management – Beyond Compliance
Introduction Recently corporations, regulators and the public have been embroiled in fierce debates about CO² emissions, money laundering, and the OECD’s BEPS initiatives. All of these have involved risk to the reputations of hitherto highly respected organizations. Now entity management compliance is coming into the public […]
Bringing It All Back Home – Asia and The City of London – A legal and business conference – at The Law Society, 3 June, 2019
The legal and business conference “Bringing It All Back Home – Asia and The City of London”, will take place 3 June, 2019, at The Law Society of England & Wales Head Quarters in the City of London. “Bringing It All Back Home”, supported by the Law […]
Slowdown Forecast for India’s Economic Growth
The five year term of the current Indian Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is coming to an end as the electoral process commenced in the world’s largest democracy. The elections are being carried out phase-wise across the country and results are scheduled to be […]
UK Chancellor cites the importance of British law firms to Belt and Road’s development
Speaking in Beijing at The Second Belt and Road Forum For International Cooperation on April 26, 2019, UK Chancellor Phillip Hammond re-committed the UK to “to helping to realise the potential of the BRI – and to doing so in a way that works for all whose lives […]
In-House Community Awards HK: Charity – Children’s Cancer Therapy Development Institute.
The official charity for the In-House Community Awards is the Children’s Cancer Therapy Development Institute (cc-TDI). The mission of the cc-TDI is to translate scientific discovery into clinical trials by understanding and proving new disease-specific treatment options for children with cancer. Based in Portland, Oregon, but providing cures […]
Blockchain – Legal implications, questions, opportunities and risks
Blockchain is increasingly in the news, but still primarily as the underlying software used for cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin. Many businesses have yet to realize its potential and the extensive ways in which blockchain can be used to make processes more efficient or to develop new […]
Interview with New Law pioneer Kirsty Dougan, Vario’s Asia MD
Dougan is NewLaw’s pioneer in Asia Kirsty Dougan co-founded NewLaw in Asia in late 2009 and last month, after almost a decade in the sector, she joined Pinsent Masons flexible NewLaw unit Vario as Managing Director for Asia. Dougan will be based in a new office […]
Mixed Forecast for India’s Economic Growth
There were mixed forecasts for India’s growth in reports issued by Fitch and Moody’s. While one showed a continuous decline the other one appeared stable. There is a proposal to liberalise foreign direct investment in foreign portfolio investments. India and South Korea came together to create […]
Book Review: “SMARTER Law: Transforming busy lawyers into business leaders” – by Trevor Faure
“I cannot say this too strongly: Do not compare yourself to others. Be true to who you are, and continue to learn with all your might.” Daisaku Ikeda, Buddhist Philosopher, as quoted by Trevor Faure. Trevor Faure, self-defined as ‘part-translator-part-interlocutor’ between the legal and performance improvement […]
Dip in India’s FDI While It Climbs Highest in IP Index
India reported reduction in its foreign direct investments. The draft national e-commerce policy has been introduced and currently available for submission of comments by stakeholders. The news to cheer was India’s climb in global intellectual property index. The RBI’s forecast on India’s GDP growth was announced […]
Your Business Personality – and why it matters
When people think of personality types in relation to business, many think of the Myers-Briggs test – a self-report questionnaire which was developed by Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers during World War II, primarily to help women entering the workforce for the […]
Interview with AIIB GC on Asian Infrastructure and Legal Services
Gerard Sanders, General Counsel of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), is working to deepen ties between AIIB and Asia-Pacific regional arbitral hubs and other legal institutions to help facilitate coordination to promote infrastructure development. In anticipation of his upcoming visit to the Hong Kong International […]
Lawyers are from Mars: Marketing People are from Mercury OR the importance of cognitive diversity in law firms
“We always did feel the same we just saw it from a different point of view. Tangled up in blue.” Bob Dylan In preparation for taking on a new marketing and business development role at an international law firm (this was after I accepted the position […]
Cambodia Legal & Tax Alert: Fortnightly Payments in Effect
The Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (“MLVT”) introduced “Prakas 442 – On the Payment of Wages” (Prakas 442) in September 2018. Prakas 442 provides that from January 2019 all enterprises and establishments covered by the provisions of the Labour Law shall prepare their payroll to […]
Seyfarth Shaw promotes first Australian partner
We are excited to announce that Erin Hawthorne has been promote to partner. Although we have grown through lateral partner appointments over the past few years, Erin is the first promotion to partner from within the team since the Australian offices of Seyfarth Shaw opened in […]
30 people to watch in the business of law in Asia in 2019
The Asia-Pacific legal markets in 2018 were characterized by trends including the exponential growth of technology deployment and innovation; the growing efforts of elite regional and local firms to adapt, innovate and compete; the potential limitations (and growth) in market access for foreign law firms; the […]
India Changes E-commerce FDI Rules
Government of India recently amended the FDI rules in the e-commerce sector. The amendment, though mentioned as a clarification, has made substantial changes to the regulations. Foreign portfolio investors’ registration has increased sharply during the year. The data protection bill appears to have been finalize. Fitch […]
Axiom Appoints Yolanda Chan as General Manager of Asia Pacific
Axiom, a leading global alternative legal services provider, announced today a strategic hire to its Asia leadership team. Yolanda Chan joins as General Manager of the Asia Pacific region. Chan will play a critical role in Axiom’s ability to transform the legal industry through talent and technology […]
The 2019 US landscape for Japan’s corporate investors: An interview with Frank Aquila, Partner, Sullivan & Cromwell
“Japanese companies have embarked on the biggest overseas acquisition spree in more than 20 years, echoing the deal boom of the 1980s,” as Lina Saigol detailed in the Financial News yesterday. In this interview with Asia Law Portal, Frank Aquila, Partner with Sullivan & Cromwell, explains what […]
Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and the Asia-Pacific Legal Industry
The Financial Times Innovative Lawyers report for the Asia-Pacific region substantiates a “sense of growing maturity among the region’s law firms”. It goes without saying that major projects in the corporate world, particularly projects including parties external to the Asia-Pacific, call for legal expertise. As a […]
Thailand Tax Alert: New Law on Transfer Pricing
On 22 November 2018, the Thai Revenue Department (TRD) took another significant step towards tightening its transfer pricing compliance and enforcement regime with the release of “the Additional Revision of the Thai Revenue Code No.47 (TRC47)”. Over the past five years, based on the Base Erosion […]
Jakarta – A City Guide for Lawyers and Legal Professionals
Jakarta, the capital city of the Republic of Indonesia is a major commercial and financial hub of the country. Once a seaport district, Jakarta is now a vibrant and fast-growing metropolis. This bustling multicultural city is home to over 10 million people and the number increases […]
Technology, NewLaw and Careers in the General Counsel’s Office: A View From Indonesia
Ario Rachman is Legal Counsel of deugro Indonesia, a highly specialized freight forwarder with a strong focus on turnkey logistics solutions for industrial projects. In this Q&A interview with Asia Law Portal, Ario provides his perspective on NewLaw and Legal Technology and their impact on the […]
30 People to Watch in Business Law Asia 2019: Nominations Open
In January of 2015 Asia Law Portal published the inaugural annual: 30 people to watch in the business of law in Asia in 2015 and in 2016 published: 30 people to watch in the business of law in Asia in 2016. In 2017: business of law in Asia in 2017. In […]
Promoting women’s progress in law from the UK to Singapore
Next year the UK will celebrate 100 years since women were allowed to become solicitors. In 1919 the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act was enforced meaning women were no longer prevented from training for and joining professions such as veterinary and accountancy, as well as law. Amongst […]
The significance of Artificial Intelligence in unlocking innovation for legal practice
Almost all over the world, scholars believe that future business growth will happen only if data is used intelligently. The handling of significant volumes of data, the requirement of extra resources and the need for speed to conduct business have all helped increased the demand for […]
Seoul – A City Guide for Lawyers and Legal Professionals
Home to large international companies like Samsung, LG and Hyundai, the South Korean capital city of Seoul has transformed economically in just a few years. Indeed, South Korea has risen rapidly to become one of Asia’s most advanced economies. Seoul is a fashion-forward city with cutting-edge […]
Litigation Funding in Asia – Where are we now?
Last year saw a swathe of reforms and proposed reforms in Asia in relation to litigation and arbitration funding. In January 2017, Singapore’s parliament passed the Civil Law Amendment Act and the Civil Law (Third Party Funding) Regulations 2017. Hot on Singapore’s heels, in June 2017, […]
Tokyo – A City Guide for Lawyers and Legal Professionals
Tokyo, the capital of Japan is one of the largest, busiest and most populated metropolises in the world. This vibrant city is also called city of cities. You may think of it as several cities interlinked through an excellent public transport system. It also is a […]
20th D. M. Harish Memorial Government Law College International Moot Court Competition, 2019
It is our pleasure to announce the 20th edition of the D. M. Harish Memorial Government Law College International Moot Court Competition (“DMH”), hosted by Government Law College, Mumbai, India, in association with the D. M. Harish Foundation. DMH is India’s first International Moot Court Competition and […]